Pregnancy among adolescent girls in Zambia is a significant concern on its own and as a factor in school dropout and early marriage, with one‐third of girls aged 15–19 having experienced pregnancy. Using qualitative and quantitative data from the Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program, we explore transactional sex as a driver of adolescent pregnancy.

This in-depth study of conscientious objection to abortion provision in Zambia is based on qualitative interviews (n=51) with practitioners working across the health system who object and do not object to providing abortion services in accordance with their cadre. Interviews were conducted in September 2015. Regardless of whether practitioners self-identified as providers or non-providers of abortion services, they presented similar religiously-informed understandings of abortion as a morally-challenging practice that is, or not, shifted from iniquity to acceptability based on the reasons for which it has been requested or the likelihood of unsafe abortion if services are not provided.

The Director of Press and Media Development, Isaac Chipampe, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services in Zambia has urged both the private and public media to tone down their political rhetoric and focus more on writing stories about challenges that affect Zambians and information that educates citizens, especially on sexual and reproductive health – especially those that directly affect the most vulnerable members of society. He urged the media to create debate and discourse on … Continued

“Currently, many stakeholders are investing a lot in changing attitudes and behaviours rather than addressing the primary drivers of unsafe abortions among adolescent girls. Issues of gender inequality, sexual violence and coercion and poverty are often not given that much attention. Many efforts also fail to recognise the role of men and boys in addressing unsafe abortions among adolescent girls,” explains 22-year-old Robert Mumba, a peer educator and youth rights advocate. Mumba, who has … Continued